What is a virtual paralegal

The virtual paralegal is a rather new concept in the remote workforce. A close job parallel is the role of a virtual assistant which is defined by the Global Alliance of Virtual Assistants as:

Virtual Assistants are highly-skilled entrepreneurs who perform a wide range of administrative, creative, technical, and other business services. However Virtual Assistants do not simply offer office support services, they develop collaborative relationships with our clients. Virtual Assisting is all about partnering with clients in order to represent them and their business from any distance.

Virtual workers can allow you to expand your office flexibly and contract your office staff as your needs fluctuate on a project by project basis.

Benefits and cost comparison of hiring a virtual paralegal

Although the hourly rate of a virtual paralegal can be more than a traditional in-house staffed employee, there are immense savings with this type of arrangement that benefits small business. When working with a virtual paralegal, you are billed only for the time that work is performed on your assignment or project.

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs

A lot of considerations need to be made when you make the decision to bring on staff, whether in-house or virtually. You’ll save vastly on expenses associated with staffing if you choose to hire a virtual paralegal and other virtual workers. These expenses include:

Payroll fees

Payroll taxes

Health Insurance

Retirement benefits

Training

Vacation Time

Sick Time

Workers compensation insurance

Tools and equipment your staff will need

Not only can you save money with hiring virtually, you’ll be able to buy back your time and grow your law firm exponentially.

80% of your time should be focused exclusively on high revenue producing projects and activities that create the most value for your business.Allowing yourself more time to plan, strategize, market, network, and create and deliver your services, the more opportunity your business has to grow and profit.You need to establish your value within your business, buy back your own time, and outsource everything else.

Key benefits of hiring a virtual family law paralegal

Having the right assistance available to you as needed include:

More Time.You’ll have more time for the productive work to grow your business, and to enjoy a work-life balance.

More Focus. You will not be distracted or overwhelmed with work you should not be doing, and can work on growing your business.

More Productivity. With more focus, you can delegate work to make you highly productive and effective, which will allow you to get more done in less time.

More Energy. With more focus and productivity, you’ll have more energy by letting go of work you can delegate.

Less Stress. When you are getting things done and making progress in your business, you can achieve a work-life balance.

Increased Profits.Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to work on your business, not in it, which translates to more revenue generating activities you can perform.

Stronger Foundation. Establishing a working relationship creates a strong foundation for the continued success of your business which leads to productivity and profitable growth.

So what can a virtual family law paralegal can do for you?

1. Judicial council forms

Drafting judicial council forms in Family Law matters, whether the case is a Dissolution, Paternity, Guardianship or other matter, can be a tedious and time consuming project. Delegating to a virtual family law paralegal can free up huge time blocks for you to focus on high revenue producing projects.

2. E filing and court filing

The advancement of technology has allowed us in the legal profession easier access to filing our documents with the Court. Many Courts now allow fax filing and e-filing. Although filing does not take substantial amounts of time, small delegations of such work to a virtual family law paralegal on an as needed basis can allow you to focus on more important work.

3. Legal research

Legal research is a core skill we use daily in the legal profession. Finding an answer to a legal question or checking for legal precedent can make or break a case. The ability to conduct legal research is an essential skill which a virtual family law paralegal possesses.

4. Moving documents

In connection with Judicial Council forms and legal research, moving papers are commonplace in many Family Law cases. Strong moving or responsive documents require an abundance of research and writing, as well as communication with the clients to determine case facts. A virtual family law paralegal can take these time consuming projects off your plate.

5. Discovery

Discovery allows us to obtain evidence from the opposing side not readily accessible to your client. Form Interrogatories, Request for Production, Request for Admissions, and Subpoenas are just a few of the discovery methods available in Family Law. Attention to detail in every document is is crucial when dealing with discovery.

Whether you need to propound or respond, a virtual paralegal can assist you excel in your discovery efforts for your client.

Take your practice to the next level

Lawfecta helps you move your agenda forward and deal effectively and efficiently with obstacles that come between you and your goals. We achieve this through practical and innovative legal solutions that help our clients succeed. We deliver consistent services across our platform of practices and sectors in all matters we undertake. Relationships and results are at the core of the Lawfecta experience. Achieving success for each client is our goal, and our relentless commitment to that end sets us apart.